Ep 19. Asylum Poisoning / Naked Joe

Mysteries at the Museum is a show where every episode features a number of obscure, yet fascinating artifacts that are hidden away in various museums around the world. Each artifact has a unique story to tell, and the show's host reveals the hidden secrets of each object and the often bizarre events that they were involved in.

Season 5 Episode 19 of Mysteries at the Museum explores two intriguing stories that provide an insight into dark secrets from the past.

The first story is titled 'Asylum Poisoning,' an episode that uncovers the shocking case of the Watsonville State Hospital in California, where over 65 patients mysteriously died in 1947. The host of the show reveals some gruesome details surrounding the case, including how the patients' meals were poisoned with a deadly synthetic toxin, and how the murderer went to drastic measures to avoid getting caught. The show's host uses interviews with historians and eyewitnesses, along with contemporary accounts and newspaper clippings, to vividly bring the story to life.

The second story, titled 'Naked Joe,' focuses on an unusual exhibit in the Warther Museum in Dover, Ohio. The exhibit features a collection of over 60 miniature locomotives carefully crafted by the eccentric inventor, Ernest Warther. The highlight of the exhibit, however, is a bizarre statue of a naked man sitting on a toilet, affectionately known as 'Naked Joe.' The host of the show delves into the story behind this bizarre sculpture, revealing the surprising inspiration for Warther's creation and the symbolic meaning that it held for him.

As the show progresses, it becomes clear how these two seemingly unrelated stories are brought together through a shared theme of injustice. The episode highlights the trials and tribulations of people who suffered at the hands of an unjust system, whether it be the patients at the Watsonville State Hospital or the injustice faced by Ernest Warther before he made his remarkable transformation.

The show's host does an excellent job of weaving together two very different stories, both poignant and thought-provoking, that offer a glimpse into the hidden secrets of the past. The episode provides valuable insight into the lives of everyday people whose stories would otherwise have gone untold and who deserve to be remembered.

Overall, Mysteries at the Museum Season 5 Episode 19 is an engrossing reminder of the power of objects to evoke emotion, tell a story, and reveal hidden truths. The episode is a masterful blend of history, captivating storytelling, and fascinating objects, making it a must-watch for anyone interested in history and the secret lives of objects.